<h2 id='chap15'>THE FAITHFUL FRIEND</h2>
<p class='c004'>Long ago, when Brahma-datta was reigning
in Benares, the Bodisat became his
Minister.</p>
<p>At that time a dog used to go to the
state elephant’s stable, and feed on the lumps
of rice which fell where the elephant fed.
Being attracted there by the food, he soon
became great friends with the elephant, and
used to eat close by him. At last neither of
them was happy without the other; and the
dog used to amuse himself by catching hold
of the elephant’s trunk, and swinging to
and fro.</p>
<p>But one day there came a peasant who gave
the elephant-keeper money for the dog, and
took it back with him to his village. From
that time the elephant, missing the dog, would
neither eat nor drink nor bathe. And they
let the King know about it.</p>
<p>He sent the Bodisat, saying: “Do you go,
<SPAN name='Page_96'></SPAN>Pandit, and find out what’s the cause of the
elephant’s behavior.”</p>
<p>So he went to the stable, and seeing how
sad the elephant looked, said to himself:
“There seems to be nothing bodily the matter
with him. He must be so overwhelmed with
grief by missing some one, I should think, who
had become near and dear to him.” And he
asked the elephant-keepers: “Is there any one
with whom he is particularly intimate?”</p>
<p>“Certainly, Sir! There was a dog of whom
he was very fond indeed.”</p>
<p>“Where is it now?”</p>
<p>“Some man or other took it away.”</p>
<p>“Do you know where the man lives?”</p>
<p>“No, Sir!”</p>
<p>Then the Bodisat went and told the King.
“There’s nothing the matter with the elephant,
your majesty; but he was great friends with
a dog, and I fancy it’s through missing it that
he refuses his food.”</p>
<p>When the King heard what he said, he
asked what was now to be done.</p>
<p>“Have a proclamation made, O King, to
this effect: 'A man is said to have taken away
<SPAN name='Page_97'></SPAN>a dog of whom our state elephant was fond.
In whose house soever that dog shall be
found, he shall be fined so much!’”</p>
<p>The King did so; and, as soon as he heard
of it, the man turned the dog loose. The dog
hastened back, and went close up to the elephant.
The elephant took him up in his trunk
and placed him on his forehead, and wept and
cried, and took him down again, and watched
him as he fed. And then he took his own food.</p>
<p>Then the King paid great honor to the
Bodisat for knowing the motives even of
animals.</p>
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